Acqua is a standalone fine dining Italian restaurant located on Kalim beach. Very well known among Phuket foodies as one of the best Italian fine dining restaurant in Town. Alessandro Frau is the man behind this restaurant as the owner and chef.

This was not the first time we tasted his food, it was awhile back many years ago when Alessandro was chef de cuisine at the Italian restaurant in the Sheraton Phuket. We could remember how good his food was then. Every time we visit Phuket we always wanted to visit but never had the chance. This time, we finally we made it.

Our dinner started with a warm welcome from Alessandro. He recommended his signature degustation tasting menu. The tasting menu was very attractive; 8 items of high quality ingredients carefully prepared for only 2,500 ++ per person. We also could not resist trying items from the a la carte menu.

Amuse bouche Rice arancini pizzaiola

Not long after ordering a big container with bubbling water and smoke was presented at our table. It was a beautiful presentation of fresh Gillardeau oysters, served with condiments (220 per piece). Gillardeau is considered the Rolls Royce of oysters; large juicy and flavorful.

Another beautiful dish appeared at our table; Lobster salad Catalana style, with cherry tomatoes and marinated red onions in olive oil and lemon sauce (600). The lobster was nicely prepared; the sweetness of the lobster was well balanced with other ingredients.

Acquerello saffron risotto with stracchino cheese, caviar and Sardinian sea urchin; this was my first time to have cheese, caviar and sea urchin in one plate, the richness of all 3 ingredients was mind blowing.

From the a la carte menu we had the Black squid ink risotto with Sicilian prawn and its own bisque (1000). The prawn was grilled releasing an irresistible aroma. Do not ignore the head part; it was full of flavor from the fat and juices’, adding it to the risotto was like a perfect marriage.

Wood fried suckling pig, saffron and violette potatoes, broad beans and its own sauce was the main course for the tasting menu. The pork skin was crispy, the meat was juicy and tender what more do you need but with the sauce and the beautiful sides makes it even better.

Sicilian Cannoli stuffed with sweet ricotta cheese, candid orange chocolate shavings in marsala flavored cannolo. Very sculpture like presentation, it was as good to look at as it was to eat.

Vanilla flan with moka coffee (430); another beautiful presentation.

Petit four; Strawberry tartlets

This was a very special meal, unexpected ; we knew it was going to be good but not this good. Each dish was prepared like works of art, and cooked to perfection not only it was beautifully appealing but the taste reflects what we see. This was one of the best dinner we had in Phuket. Alessandro did not only cook but he created edible art.

Current: Editor of At-Bangkok.com, Managing Director at dp-Studio Co. Ltd.
Past: Lecturer, Instructor at School of Architecture King Mongkut University of Technology, Architect at RNL Architect, Architect at Roth Sheppard Architects
Education: School of Architecture Chulalongkorn University Bangkok Thailand (B.Arch)
School of Architecture University of Arizona USA - School of Architecture University of Colorado, Denver USA (M. Arch)